In Memory of Nigel Shelby: The Trevor Project
Tax deductible
The Story and Reason
Pictured above and throughout this campaign is Nigel Shelby. He was a 15yr old boy from Alabama who on April 18th, 2019 took his own life because he was being bullied in high school for being gay. Nigel also struggled with depression as is the case for nearly 77% of all LGBTQ teens but his mother said despite Nigel's depression he was full of light, joy, and had so much more love to give. When I came across Nigel’s story on Shaun King's instagram it broke my heart. It broke my heart because I identify with this child. When I was in high school I was riddled with anxiety for fear of being outed and harmed for being gay but I went deep into my imagination, my creativity, and found protection. I was able to ward off those who meant to harm me for my sexuality, my sensitivity, my heart, with my creativity. I found a way to survive, I had enough tools...Nigel tragically didn’t. So in an effort to give a child like Nigel a better chance at life, to help him understand that there's more to life than the hatred and sadness that seems to engulf one's world at times, i've started a GoFundMe campaign for the month of May to raise 10k for The Trevor Project in memory of Nigel Shelby. The Trevor Project is an American non-profit organization founded in 1998 focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Through a toll-free telephone number, it operates The Trevor Lifeline, a confidential service that offers trained counselors. The stated goals of the project are to provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13–24, as well as to offer guidance and resources to parents and educators in order to foster safe, accepting, and inclusive environments for all youth, at home and at school. The Trevor Project gives a child like Nigel a chance to survive during the period in a teenager's life that is rife with vulnerability.
I’ve never sought out financial public support before, nor do I know what’s possible but I feel this is worth the effort. Nigel was worth the effort and every queer young child out there is worth the effort.
Here are the hard facts about bullying and suicide amongst LGBTQ youth:
- LGBTQ youth are twice as likely as their peers to experience physical assault and 26% reported that their biggest problem was family rejection and bullying at school.
- LGBTQ youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth.
- LGBTQ youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to heterosexual youth.
- Of all the suicide attempts made by youth, LGBTQ youth suicide attempts were almost five times as likely to require medical treatment than those of heterosexual youth.
- Suicide attempts by LGBTQ youth and questioning youth are 4 to 6 times more likely to result in injury, poisoning, or overdose that requires treatment from a doctor or nurse, compared to their straight peers.
- In a national study, 40% of transgender adults reported having made a suicide attempt. 92% of these individuals reported having attempted suicide before the age of 25.
- LGBTQ youth who come from highly rejecting families are 8.4 times as likely to have attempted suicide as LGBTQ peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection.
The following is what your donation will support at The Trevor Project:
- Maintain and strengthen The Trevor Project's foundational 24/7 Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Online Trevor Text, and Trevor Text messaging programs.
- Facilitate safe and supportive educational environments and empower teachers to support LGBTQ youth in crisis.
- Promote policies that improve the health of LGBTQ youth and increase their access to mental health care.
- Protect LGBTQ youth across the nation from conversion therapy through The Trevor Project's 50 bills 50 states campain.
- Inclusive and exhaustive data collection on LGBTQ youth to champion meaningful change.
PLEASE give what you can afford. Every dollar is a step towards institutional and social change.
PLEASE spread the word on your social media if you feel inclined. There is power in numbers.
PLEASE know that I deeply appreciate your time, consideration, and contributions. I know there's plenty to contribute to right now so your energy towards this desire of mine is felt with deep gratitude.
For Nigel Shelby's story click here.
For more information on The Trevor Project click here.
***Every cent given to this campaign will go directly to The Trevor Project and are tax deductible***
❤️❤️❤️THANK YOU❤️❤️❤️
With all sincerity and hope,
Gabriel Rivera
Pictured above and throughout this campaign is Nigel Shelby. He was a 15yr old boy from Alabama who on April 18th, 2019 took his own life because he was being bullied in high school for being gay. Nigel also struggled with depression as is the case for nearly 77% of all LGBTQ teens but his mother said despite Nigel's depression he was full of light, joy, and had so much more love to give. When I came across Nigel’s story on Shaun King's instagram it broke my heart. It broke my heart because I identify with this child. When I was in high school I was riddled with anxiety for fear of being outed and harmed for being gay but I went deep into my imagination, my creativity, and found protection. I was able to ward off those who meant to harm me for my sexuality, my sensitivity, my heart, with my creativity. I found a way to survive, I had enough tools...Nigel tragically didn’t. So in an effort to give a child like Nigel a better chance at life, to help him understand that there's more to life than the hatred and sadness that seems to engulf one's world at times, i've started a GoFundMe campaign for the month of May to raise 10k for The Trevor Project in memory of Nigel Shelby. The Trevor Project is an American non-profit organization founded in 1998 focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Through a toll-free telephone number, it operates The Trevor Lifeline, a confidential service that offers trained counselors. The stated goals of the project are to provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13–24, as well as to offer guidance and resources to parents and educators in order to foster safe, accepting, and inclusive environments for all youth, at home and at school. The Trevor Project gives a child like Nigel a chance to survive during the period in a teenager's life that is rife with vulnerability.
I’ve never sought out financial public support before, nor do I know what’s possible but I feel this is worth the effort. Nigel was worth the effort and every queer young child out there is worth the effort.
Here are the hard facts about bullying and suicide amongst LGBTQ youth:
- LGBTQ youth are twice as likely as their peers to experience physical assault and 26% reported that their biggest problem was family rejection and bullying at school.
- LGBTQ youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth.
- LGBTQ youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to heterosexual youth.
- Of all the suicide attempts made by youth, LGBTQ youth suicide attempts were almost five times as likely to require medical treatment than those of heterosexual youth.
- Suicide attempts by LGBTQ youth and questioning youth are 4 to 6 times more likely to result in injury, poisoning, or overdose that requires treatment from a doctor or nurse, compared to their straight peers.
- In a national study, 40% of transgender adults reported having made a suicide attempt. 92% of these individuals reported having attempted suicide before the age of 25.
- LGBTQ youth who come from highly rejecting families are 8.4 times as likely to have attempted suicide as LGBTQ peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection.
The following is what your donation will support at The Trevor Project:
- Maintain and strengthen The Trevor Project's foundational 24/7 Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Online Trevor Text, and Trevor Text messaging programs.
- Facilitate safe and supportive educational environments and empower teachers to support LGBTQ youth in crisis.
- Promote policies that improve the health of LGBTQ youth and increase their access to mental health care.
- Protect LGBTQ youth across the nation from conversion therapy through The Trevor Project's 50 bills 50 states campain.
- Inclusive and exhaustive data collection on LGBTQ youth to champion meaningful change.
PLEASE give what you can afford. Every dollar is a step towards institutional and social change.
PLEASE spread the word on your social media if you feel inclined. There is power in numbers.
PLEASE know that I deeply appreciate your time, consideration, and contributions. I know there's plenty to contribute to right now so your energy towards this desire of mine is felt with deep gratitude.
For Nigel Shelby's story click here.
For more information on The Trevor Project click here.
***Every cent given to this campaign will go directly to The Trevor Project and are tax deductible***
❤️❤️❤️THANK YOU❤️❤️❤️
With all sincerity and hope,
Gabriel Rivera
Organizer
Gabriel Rivera
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
The Trevor Project
Beneficiary